Gary and Janet’s Martial Art Background

Master Kanazawa and Gary – NSKA Open Training Course

Gary began his martial art training in Shotokan Karate under the pioneer of British Karate Sensie Vernon Bell, in 1981. Gary eventually was awarded his 1st Dan (Shodan) in 1987 under Sensie Bell. Sensie Bell has unfortunately passed away but his fantastic martial art achievements are now legendary. His story is covered in great detail in the marvelous biography, Shotokan Dawn (written by Dr Clive Layton). He held senior black belts in numerous Japanese martial arts. He was a fantastic teacher and martial arts historian, sadly missed by his students.The Karate taught by Sensie Bell was a very old form of Shotokan, more ‘Jutsu’ orientated, Gary wanted to follow the more modern ‘Do’ version. Gary assisted Sensie Bell with teaching at the Dagenham Dojo in Essex for a couple of years. On seeing an article in Fighting Arts International about Sensie Nick Adamou a senior student for many years of the renowned Shotokan and Tai Chi Chaun Master Kanazawa 10th Dan; Gary enrolled at Sensie Adamou’s classes at the Harrow Leisure Centre, with the blessing of Sensie Bell.

The Karate taught there was very physically demanding and of an excellent standard. Gary persevered to eventually achieve his 2nd Dan (Nidan) in March 1989, and was awarded his 3rd Dan (Sandan ) in January 1993. The highlight was having the world renowned Shotokan Master Kanazawa teach when he was over here in the UK, from his home in Japan. Gary enjoyed the regular Black belt classes and weekly private lessons with Sensie Adamou. Gary continued with Karate until sustaining a very bad back injury, which prevented him from continuing his training in the art. Karate did have limitations for Gary as the main focus was on speed and power. One’s body type can predetermine the speed of techniques it is possible to achieve. A plateau is reached which just can not generally be broken through. After many years of practice most Kareteka either slow down, become injured or just give up. Which is a terrible shame, for them and martial arts in general. The thing is that the training needs to be modified due to growing older, few schools do this though. Some switch to more Jutsu variations of the art when they realise that it is not possible to train in the same way as you get older. A fabulous example of training into older age is the Traditional Karate taught in Okiwinawa, the home of traditional Karate. Some of the old masters practice into their 80’s and 90’s. Because some styles of Karate are very hard on the joints long term and speed is always reducing as we get older. Obviously there are are some notable exceptions to this rule. The hard training can be very detrimental to the immune system later in life, If one continues to train in exactly the same way. Gary now has a mission in life using knowledge of Taiji, Biomechanics and good positive posture alignments is to promote good body usage to individuals or groups enabling them to avoid long term injury. This will enable them to continue training into older age.

During his days with Sensie Adamou, Gary loved doing Taijiquan as part of the syllabus. Although it was a very shortened and more basic form. The wonderful health benefits were well known to Gary. Traditional Taijiquan is a fully inclusive discipline that does not rely on speed or power and does not dampen the acquired skills with age. Indeed it is possible to get even better with age. Gary ran his own classes in Stevenage, Barking and London for many years and was authorised by Sensie Adamou to conduct gradings up to 3rd Kyu.

After some years of not training at all due to back pain, Gary joined a Taiji class in Stevenage. Whilst on holiday in Spain he realised during a Taiji lesson there, that the Taiji that was being taught in Stevenage lacked a lot of essential key ingredients. Immediately upon his return from holiday Gary enrolled for classes under Dave Hope. Over the years Gary has become more immersed in the art and no longer suffers with daily back pain. The lineage of the Taijiquan studied can be traced directly back to Master Yang Chengfu, via Master Chu, who now resides in Switzerland.

Gary and his wife Janet have trained regular with Sifu Herman Chan-Pensley, a senior student of Master Chu and his son Jonathon both privately and at their instructors classes. Gary and Janet now train regular with Bob Fermor. Bob’s Taiji lineage is through Master Deng Er Qian whose father trained directly under Yang Cheng-Fu. So the lineage is a very pure one. As an ex- three times World Weapons Champion and martial artist of World repute, Bob’s Taiji is extremely practical based and very different from the more Wellbeing approach of the Chan-Pensley’s Taiji. Gary and Janet continue to train and improve their Taiji under the guidance of Bob Fermor.

Master Kanazwa Open Course

Master Kanazawa and Gary – NSKA Open Training Course

TJQD Logo

Traditional Yang family Tai Ji Quan

Gary receives trophy for 2nd place in the NSKA National Kata from Sensei Adamou (early 90’s)

Gary and students Michael Bones and Terry with The Mayor and Mayoress of Barking and Dagenham in the late 80’s

Telephone

If you would like to arrange an appointment, have any queries or want to book a wellbeing session please call 01438 317738or07585 809667